Clifton Road sealing has begun with sod turned by Jamie Chaffey, Kevin Anderson

It's been a long time coming for the users of the unsealed stretch, but Gunnedah Shire Council staff have already started the $9.6 million project.

The 13.5km unsealed stretch of road between Carroll and Breeza will be tarred, which Gunnedah mayor Jamie Chaffey said on Wednesday was a "quite exciting thing".

"We've heard from many landholders and businesses that utilise this road for the food and fibre that's grown in abundance in the Liverpool Plains, and a lot of traffic goes through here," Cr Chaffey said.

"Today marks the start of work on a project that will mean a safer and smoother drive, with a lot less dust.

"The fact that we're going to break dirt, which will signal the construction of this 13.5 km infrastructure upgrade, which also involves a brand new bridge at Breeza, is very significant for us."

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It will help with the upgrade of the Carroll Cotton Gin, too, which sees trucks travel this bumpy stretch to-and-from Carroll Cotton Co.

Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said bringing the road up to standard "meant more jobs and more money into this community".

"Any time we can help our farmers safely transport their crops and conduct their business, it's a big win for our region. The new cotton gin alone has the capacity to bring $150 million into the local economy, which is a massive boost for local jobs," he said.

The state government chipped in $8.56 million through the Fixing Country Roads Program, and the federal government contributed $1.01 through its Local Roads Community Infrastructure Fund.

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